The Tamesis
I just got home after a whirlwind three weeks of travel, and while I was gone, I engaged in my favorite form of historical research—slash—souvenir shopping: thrifting. From Bucharest, Romania to Siena, Italy, I found some real gems, from faux fur pink and blue kitten heels from Twice Vintage Shop in Rome to a vintage polka dot ceramic tea set from Brasov, Romania. But the most inspiring find was unearthed in New York: a pair of shiny black Bob Mackie cigarette pants, which I bought for $60 at the Cure Thrift Shop in the East Village.
I’ve always believed that the best purchases represent the potential for reinvention, and as summer approaches, I find myself less interested than ever in looking subtle or quote-unquote occasion-appropriate. What do I want? Gorgeous, charming, a little messy, but definitely not to be missed. In other words, I kinda…want to be Cher?
I found a lot of inspiration in a quote shared by Cher new york times In 2013, on her controversial Bob Mackie look at the 1986 Oscars: “I just thought, ‘I’m going to look like myself. I’m going to be myself. I don’t care if they like what I’m wearing.'” If only you could see it up close. It’s cashmere, the beads are beautiful, they make earrings, and the headdress is exquisite. It’s impeccable. Beautifully done. Camp Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. “
I certainly don’t know what it’s like to be an octogenarian and keep your unique sense of style intact, but I Do What it feels like to know that your taste is questioned because of who you are. Fat people like me are often warned to stick to basics and neutrals to avoid drawing unwanted attention, but at this stage in my life, I’m not afraid to admit that I think of attention. After a few years of gaining weight, I was used to wearing bright colors, but now I wanted all the sequins, rhinestones, vintage lamé fabrics—and the Cher-like confidence to wear them into any room I chose instead of cowering in the background.
Of course, it’s not just Cher’s fashion sense that inspires me. I’ve also gone on record saying that I’m very excited about her age-gap relationship with music executive Alexander “AE” Edwards, partly because Cher seems to be happy with it (we love her!) and partly because, as a single person in my 30s, I’m a big fan of refusing to compromise on personality (or desires), especially if it means a man decades younger than you is obsessed with you.
All this to say: Happy birthday, Cher. May this coming summer bring gold halter tops, bedazzled linen jackets, sparkly cigarette pants and Bob Mackie vibes to us all!
